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Leaders of the Ledger from CPA Practice Advisor in partnership with Rightworks spotlights the people and ideas shaping the future of the accounting profession.
Each episode host Rob Brown interviews influential firm leaders, innovators and rising stars to uncover how they are tackling today’s biggest challenges whether it is client advisory services, AI and technology, talent strategy or firm growth through M&A.
Built on CPA Practice Advisor’s trusted recognition lists like the 40 Under 40 Influencers in Accounting and other collections of prominent professionals, this show goes beyond the headlines to share practical insights, personal stories and proven strategies from those moving the profession forward.
If you are a firm owner, leader or ambitious professional who wants to stay ahead of the curve Leaders of the Ledger is your inside track to the conversations and connections that matter most in accounting.
Subscribe now to hear from the voices redefining what it means to lead in the profession.
Speaker 2 (00:00.206)
Who are the influential people in accounting? Who do we shine a light on that says you are moving the dial, you are a force for good in this wonderful profession and you are doing amazing things.
working a lot of hours doing the grind but I really wasn't feeling fulfilled really in what I was doing. Having burnout really caused me to kind of take a step back and really focus on what makes me happy. That was the fundamental question I came to.
This is Leaders of the Ledger, a new podcast coming out under CPA Practice Advisor. Just going beyond technical accounting role, well I'm here with Kathryn Hall.
I really think from the AI technology perspective, I'm even seeing where AI is able to create source documents, receipts, invoices, AI is able to generate a lot of these fakes. I do predict over time, AI is going to become the auditor, so to speak.
It is lovely to have you with us.
Speaker 2 (01:02.51)
Who are the influential people in accounting? Who do we shine a light on that says you are moving the dial, you are a force for good in this wonderful profession, and you are doing amazing things? Well, I'm here with Kathryn Horton. We're gonna introduce her in just a moment. This is Leaders of the Ledger, the new podcast coming out under CPA Practice Advisor, and we are looking at the people in CPA roles that are doing something a little bit different or just going beyond the technical accounting role and
shaking things up a little bit. kathryn, it is lovely to have you with us.
Thank you so much. It's a pleasure to be here. Thank you for the opportunity.
kathryn when you're called an influencer does that sit well with you? Do you feel like that?
But now it strikes me as quite the honor to be considered an influencer, considering it is such a vast profession and so many different ideas and stakeholders. So to be called an influencer is quite the compliment. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:57.964)
Well, accounting types are not known for pushing themselves out there and wanting to be famous, but you and a few other people have found themselves gathering a little bit of attention and we'll find out how you've done that, but just for now tell us a bit about your role, your journey.
Yeah, absolutely. So my current role, have my own CPA firm, kathryn K Horton, CPA, P.A. based over in Stuart, Florida. I've had my own firm for about six years now. Before that, I worked at regional and national firms for about eight years. So I've been in public accounting for about, you know, 14 years at this point, which is, you know, time flies.
You served your time though right? went and worked for somebody else? You found out how it all happened?
Yeah, you know, prior to that, I actually spent a few years in private. So I graduated back in 0809, where the job market really wasn't the best. So I actually worked at a factory. I worked in production control for two years while I, you know, studied for the CPA exam, went for my master's for the additional credit hours. So it was quite the journey, you know, to kind of lead me to this point.
You know, I'm very big on giving back to the profession. I volunteer my time for the Florida Institute of CPAs. sit on their board of directors. Also too with the AICPA. I sit on their emerging professionals committee as well as the AICPA council. So, you know, always trying to give back to a profession that I felt has really given me a lot of opportunities.
Speaker 2 (03:33.954)
You clearly have more hours in your day than us mortals.
Yeah, so you know, I go, go, go, but you know, I enjoy what I do. So if you love what you do, you know, it just makes everything that much more enjoyable.
Yeah. Talk to us about the thought process from being employed, working for somebody else, being in a national or regional firm, to sailing your own ship. How did that come about?
Yeah, so that itself was a little bit of a journey because I did experience what I feel a lot of people go through was burnout. So I was working a lot of hours, I was doing the grind, but I really wasn't feeling fulfilled really in what I was doing. so having burnout really caused me to kind of take a step back and really focus on
What makes me happy? That was the fundamental question I came to was what makes me happy in this career? And for me, data analytics was a big interest area of mine, a passion area that I wanted to explore further. And I also had a big passion for service to the profession and I wanted to be able to give more time to that service. So,
Speaker 1 (04:47.586)
You know, it was really an evaluation on what was going to work to fulfill that happiness. And for me, I realized I was going to have to really create my own firm in my own environment in order to, you know, make those focus areas a priority. you know, that's what really spurred me to start my own firm was to really, you know, flourish in those areas.
Everything really just kind of organically grew from there with the firm and it's been an amazing journey. I wouldn't change a thing.
Well accountants are not generally known for their entrepreneurial spirit because you're in a career where you are in the you're in the business of risk management aren't you? You don't take risks, you don't try things like that. Answers are usually black and white and right or wrong so had you always had that idea that you might do something yourself?
Actually, no. I thought I was going to stay in public accounting. I thought I was going to maybe go into private, into a CFO role. But for me, what I found very encouraging was when I was talking to other professionals about my passion areas. I was very involved in the state society as well as the AICPA. And the feedback I got from a lot of my peers was, have all these great opportunities, these passion areas.
Why not create your own pathway to it? So really the support of my peers is really what helped me to take on that possibility of maybe I can start my own firm. I talked with a lot of others who had started their own firms, learned from their journey. And I have to say it is scary when you take that leap of faith, you step out on your own, because you never know what day one is going to look like. don't know what day 30 is going to look like.
Speaker 1 (06:40.206)
So on, so forth. And having really the support of my peers was very eye-opening to me. It was a wonderful gift. I always say you put in the time and networking and really building those relationships and everything always comes full circle. And me starting my own firm is when I felt everything came full circle. It was just an outreach of support I received. So finding clients initially,
wasn't as hard as I thought it was gonna be because there was just so much encouragement and everybody trying to find those opportunities and really help me get that leg up. So it was a very inspiring journey, have to say, with my peer group and with the state societies and really putting in the time, because it really made all the difference, I felt.
There's a great book by a guy called Harvey McKay called Swim with the Sharks and he's famous for the quote dig your well before you're thirsty and in starting at your own firm on day one you don't start with no network so you'd have had an on-ramp they should have been planning this for some time you'd have had a network connections opportunities advocacy support in place presumably
Yes, and so that was something that, you know, I have to say, you know, the first public accounting firm I was at was a regional firm and they were very big on networking. You know, being part of the community, being part of the profession, it was something very highly encouraged at the firm. So, you know, as a staff, I was going to different networking events, you know, and I remember some of my peers at the time were like,
Why are you doing all this? This is all extracurricular items. Why? And I got a lot of feedback on that. was really, I was like, no, it's the bigger picture. I'm building an intangible asset here that really will be valuable for me in my career.
Speaker 2 (08:27.324)
billable is it kathryn?
Speaker 2 (08:45.622)
didn't know then that you were going to start your own firm and you were really going to have to lean into this network.
Correct, yes, I had no idea at the time, but I knew it was very valuable. I knew having that intangible asset was extremely valuable. you know, I had other staff members that we actually got together and we said, hey, you know, let's go to networking events together. Let's try to build this out. Because it is hard going to those events by yourself and really starting to make those inroads.
I had others at the firm and we would start going to networking events and really help building it out. having that network, you know, really does make the difference because I see a lot of professionals sometimes struggle when they want to go out on their own, you know, try to build their own firm, but they don't have that support system there yet. And then it's hard to start your firm, build up that network, do, you know, business development, you know, all at once. It can be a little overwhelming at times.
Sure. You mentioned that burnout was a trigger in looking at going out on your own, but also was there a sense that your passions, you crusade the things that you cared about, your way of doing business, your values were not served by the firm, you didn't have as much freedom as you wanted to, so as well as the burnout you wanted to create something different, something new.
So, you know, I was working at the firm and I did enjoy audit. Audit was my background. Audit's what I worked in. I had, you know, the data analytics is a big passion area. It was a craft I was starting to build. I could see myself really stepping out as a leader in the profession in that realm. And it was something I really wanted to embrace and really take to the next step. But I knew, you know,
Speaker 1 (10:31.032)
where I was at, was really heavily audit focused and putting in the hours, getting the audits done. So, I didn't feel it was fair really to either side to have this passion area, have this burnout knowing I'm not doing what I love and what I'm passionate about. I have to say the firm was very supportive in that. had very open discussions with the partners, with the leadership team.
And they were extremely supportive. They said, follow your passion. You know, we want to be a part of that. We want to support you on that journey. So I have to say the open communication was very beneficial, you know, because I do find it to be, you know, can be troublesome if you have burnout, you experience it, but you don't communicate it. Because, you know, a lot of times the firms can take that, you know, and apply it to others going forward.
Was there ever a conversation, kathryn, when they said, okay, we appreciate you want to go and do your own thing, but do it within the firm, stay with us, establish your own service lines, your own team, your own ways of doing things. Was that ever an option?
Yes, actually so that was something you know I discussed you know with all the firms I have worked with up to that point You know once they heard I was starting out on my own so a lot of them I did do you know consulting work for You know contract work things like that. You know they said we love what you do We want to make sure you love what you do And let's find a way you know to make this work out so you know
Really all my former employers, even when I first started, the factory I worked at, they were very, very supportive when I stepped out, started my own. But like I always say, you never burn bridges. You always leave on good terms. And you build those connections because it's really nice to have that support system through and through.
Speaker 2 (12:26.252)
Yeah, you talked about the importance of networking and how you really took to that, but it's not natural for many accounting types. If we were to badge them, are introvert by nature, but you've made it work. Any tips you would give to the people watching listening this that perhaps don't feel the affinity you had for networking or don't see it as super valuable yet, but they know they're going to come up against that at some point and they need to get out there. What would you say to them?
Yeah, absolutely. So what I would say is definitely talk to others at your firm, at your company, your peer group, people that you're friends with, and see who else is interested in trying networking. That's really what got me started was that I vividly remember being in what we called the audit pit. It was me and four other audit staff, and we're all sitting there.
said to the group, I'm like, hey guys, I would like to start networking, and these are some groups I'm thinking about checking out, does anyone want to join me? And everybody in the room was like, that sounds great, we'd love to try some of this out. And it was nice because everyone found different networking groups they wanted to look at. We would email the group and say, hey, there's an event here, anybody want to go?
And out of the five of us, there was always a handful that would say yes. And so we actually developed a group and we would try out different organizations, different professional groups, really see what we liked and what we didn't like. So it was nice going to these events and having someone you know and that you can conversate with, because it can be awkward sometimes.
you know, going to a networking event by yourself, especially first time not knowing the organization. You know, it can be awkward, you know, so it's always good to have somebody with you. And there was many groups we tried, some we liked, some we didn't like, but that was how, you know, I was really able to find my own niche and really build out from there.
Speaker 2 (14:30.823)
Yeah. You've been in the game a while now. Has it changed much?
it's changed tremendously. It's changed from the areas of technology, primarily technology, I have to say, with AI, with automation, with process flows. As a profession, it does take a while for change to adapt. So I remember when I first started, data analytics was what I was drawn to. This was back in 2013.
You know, I was seeing things from a process automation standpoint, from a programming standpoint, that I thought, you know, we could really implore here in our profession.
That was before it was cool as well kathryn wasn't it?
Yeah, was out there on the speaker circuit, talking about all these great things with technologies. And it's just fascinating to see where we are now from the area of AI. Because that was when AI was just very much in its infancy in regards to accounting. So it's been amazing to watch it really grow.
Speaker 1 (15:40.59)
you know, the skill sets, how they changed and really the globalization of the profession as well. You know, with technology and really the COVID era showed us how much technology can be leveraged in our profession. So it's been quite a few changes for sure.
What excites you most about the world of accounting right now?
What I love about accounting is it's so broad. There's so many different facets, so many different interest areas that, and so many emerging areas as well. I hear a lot of times they tell students your future industry or job you're gonna work in may not even be in existence right now. And we've seen that in accounting, especially when you look in the areas of like Bitcoin,
You know, you know, process automation, technology, you know, so many emerging areas there. But it's a broad area. So you can really pick and choose no more is it just audit or tax or advisory. You know, there's just so much going on, but so much opportunity to become a thought leader.
I would say if you find your niche area is something you love, explore that, take it to the next level because there's hundreds of thousands of accountants out there, what's going to make you different? And so if you can find the answer to that question, that will make all the difference in a career.
Speaker 2 (17:11.064)
I'm really glad you mentioned that standing out because technically good accountants are ten a penny as we say there are lots of them so they don't stand out it's hard to differentiate yourself and in that respect it's hard to be influential to look or sound anything different. Talk to us about the importance of a personal brand for accountants because they don't necessarily see it as vital.
So personal brands are extremely important. My thought process is always if someone thinks of a CPA, I want them to think of me. I want me to be that first person that comes to mind.
Yeah not the name of your firm necessarily but you as an individual.
Yes, uh-huh. You know, and that's why I am a firm of one. It's just me at my firm, but that's a big piece of it is because people aren't looking for the firm, they're looking for me. I'm the asset, I'm the commodity that comes in and really helps, you know, different firms and companies. But personal branding is extremely important. You know, my personal branding was
I knew data analytics was a big area for me for personal branding because not many people were in that space. It was an emerging area and nobody was on the speaker circuit, especially young professionals in that area. So I knew that was a huge opportunity. Also to community service, service to the profession, service to the community at large.
Speaker 1 (18:40.458)
Not many people do that and are vocal and open about sharing those experiences I found. So that's why I joined the state society. I became part of their young CPA committee, led service projects, led different advocacy efforts, because I enjoyed it, but also too it helped as far as the personal branding. And then I leveraged LinkedIn heavily. For me, that's a free marketing tool.
Frustrated me a lot when I was young in my career is going to events and people asking me. What do you do? What are you involved with? Because at the time I was involved in so much but my challenge was how do I communicate that to the greater audience the bigger audience there? And that's where I really leveraged LinkedIn so all of these facets really helped to create the personal brand so
Whenever data analytics came up, I was the first person that was mentioned. Same thing for opportunities and leadership in the profession. I'm a name that tends to come up at times. really fine tuning that brand. So like I said, when someone thinks of a CPA, you're the first name that they think of.
Yeah, some people might think well personal brand is not for me I don't want to start my own firm I work for a firm that's really well branded everyone knows who we are I don't necessarily need to stand out is that valid or do you think everyone should have a personal brand because we never know what the future is going to bring up do we and whether we might work somewhere else in the next few years for instance.
Exactly, yes. So, you know, there is a lot to be said about a firm brand or a company brand. Those are extremely well established, very well known in the community. And so sometimes it does, you know, take a step out, you know, of a comfort zone to try to create your own personal brand. But I do think that at some point in our careers, we do reach a point where we need to have that personal branding. I see a lot of times where
Speaker 1 (20:49.294)
people hit manager, senior manager levels at firms, they're told to go bring in business. And there's only so much you can fall back on the firm brand in order to bring in that business because it's all about relationships and trust within the public that really helps those business development opportunities.
But it really does lead to just an immense amount of opportunities there in your future. If you can really develop and hone that personal branding, it just brings really limitless opportunities for you in your career.
You mentioned trust too kathryn. You're right people recommend people they refer people they don't necessarily say go and talk to that firm it will be person to person so you need to stand out you need to be the name that people think of first when they come across something that you do not necessarily the firm so it is a personal touch. Hence the phrase personal brand I guess.
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (21:48.742)
And you think, you know, with all the financial information, that is, you know, very important information that people need to trust you with, you know, about their business, about their finances. I mean, they call us the gatekeepers, you know, in the profession regarding financial data. So, you know, you have to have that personal relationship that people...
you know, are willing to talk to you about the financial services that you'd be able to provide them and how that will be value added to them.
A couple of quick questions to finish kathryn, this has been excellent. I don't know if you're a betting person but if you were to go to Las Vegas and bet everything on one thing what prediction would you safely make for what is coming up in accounting? What's definitely going to happen in the next few years?
Yeah, so great question. So I definitely think there's going to be a lot of developments in the realm of AI. know, AI is a shape-shifter. So it's very hard to pin down. That's why there hasn't been, you know, true regulations in regards to AI because you can put, you know, some sort of policy regulation in today. AI will be different, you know, 10 minutes from now, probably even, you know, 30 seconds less time than that.
So I really think from the AI technology perspective, it's going to create some significant changes over the next few years, if not five, 10 years. I'm even seeing where, you know, AI is able to create source documents, you know, because I come from the audit perspective. So receipts, invoices, AI is able to generate a lot of these fakes. So I do predict over time, you know, AI is going to become
Speaker 1 (23:37.496)
the auditor, so to speak, of companies because it can sort through all that information, identify what really is valid, not valid, because there's only so much procedures you can do from a manual perspective there. And then it's how do we audit the AI that's doing the auditing itself. you know, it's going to be quite an expansive area. It's definitely changing every day. So to say definitively where we're going to be,
You know, it's hard to say, but I know for sure AI is going to be a huge part of that entire equation.
Let's finish with some tips for the people that are inspired by this. They want to embark on a journey of being more vocal, more visible, more influential, more relevant in what they're doing. We all do it in different ways. We have different weapons, different strengths, different personality traits, but what are some absolutes, Kathryn, that you would advise people of any age watching this that want to be more visible in their life, their career?
Yeah, absolutely. Great question. So I would say, you know, to become more visible, always look for the opportunities, always be mindful of opportunities that arise and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Because a lot of times we stay within our comfort zone, but it limits us as to, you know, where we actually can go in our careers. So for me, great example is public speaking. I was terrified of public speaking.
but I saw it as a huge opportunity because I was looking around. I like data analytics. I was doing a lot of great things with it, but I wasn't seeing anybody on the speaker circuit with it, especially a young professional. So I thought, hey, this is a great opportunity. So I did public speaking classes to really help gear up and really have that foundational background so that way I could go on a stage and talk for an hour or two hours.
Speaker 1 (25:38.638)
you know, about the topics that I love. So it wasn't comfortable doing it. It was a journey in itself going, you know, through public speaking, but stepping out of that comfort zone really made all the difference. So, you know, for anyone listening out there, keep an eye out for those opportunities and really don't be afraid to, you know, take a step forward in building that personal brand.
Very good be opportunistic it's too risky to play it safe as they say. Yeah. kathryn, a final question for you. Mentors there will have been people that have advised you in the past really helped you supported you led you shown you the way being further down the road than you were and brought you along with them how important are they in your life?
mentors are extremely important. So I've had some wonderful mentors in my career. And I'm fortunate to say that I've had many from the start of my career that are still part of my life today. At the firm I started with, they were very big on having mentors, but having mentors that were present. So it's not just a mentor and name, but someone that'll really guide you throughout the career journey.
And I had a wonderful, you know, designated mentor and then had many others that came up through the firm. You know, but my one main mentor, he was very big on the community service side of things. So, you know, he would, you know, tell me about the organizations he was involved with. He recommended me for a leadership program with the Chamber of Commerce and really
A true mentor I find is when they find opportunities for you to build up, level up in your career, but they're willing to be that outstretched hand to really help guide you through the process and really identify opportunities that you may not have known that existed. So having that trusted guide through the process is pivotal. It's helped me at many points in my career, especially starting off on my own.
Speaker 1 (27:45.246)
because the mentors there were also very extremely helpful as far as identifying work opportunities, leads, things like that. Because mentors really do, if they're in it, they are there to support you through and throughout in your career.
Sure. Any advice or any motto, any wise counsel they gave you that you can share with us?
So, you know, the one main one was follow your passions. You know, so whatever you're passionate about, that's what you need to stick with and go with it. You know, because our career, when you think about it, it's, know, 30, 40 plus years. So why do something, you know, that you, you know, are okay doing when you can find something that you really love? You know, because you want to really
enjoy your career and if you're doing something that you're not all in on through in and throughout, it's going to make a very long career journey.
Indeed well kathryn Horton that's been inspirational thank you so much for your passion and your insights today it's been great having you on the show.
Speaker 1 (28:53.751)
Thank you so much. appreciate the opportunity and thank you for having me.
This is leaders of the Ledger podcast on behalf of CPA practice advisor interviewing the influencers in the CPA profession that are really making a difference. It's been great having Kathryn with us today. Tune into the show on all your podcast apps and we'll see you on the next episode.